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Nation calls on all leaders to clarify position on Kinder Morgan
pipeline proposal

VANCOUVER, Jan. 22, 2013 /CNW/ - Tsleil-Waututh Nation is calling on
Liberal Party of Canada leadership candidates to make clear their
positions on Kinder Morgan's pipeline proposal and for the party to add
the issue of crude oil transportation from the Alberta oil sands to its
debate agenda. During the party's leadership debate held in Vancouver
on Sunday, the issue of pipeline development to B.C.'s coast was
avoided.

"If pipeline development isn't on the agenda when the party meets in
B.C., where we bear all the risks from increased oil tanker traffic,
then when will it be?" asks Chief Justin George, Tsleil-Waututh Nation.
"We need to know where these candidates stand on the Kinder Morgan
pipeline proposal."

Prior to the debates Liberal leadership candidates had expressed a
variety of positions on pipelines. While most support continued oil
sands development, some have stated opposition to Enbridge's Northern
Gateway proposal, and have mentioned alternatives for shipping crude
oil to B.C.'s coast. Of the nine candidates, only Joyce Murray has made
a clear statement of opposition to Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain
proposal.

"It's not enough to just oppose Enbridge Northern Gateway when Kinder
Morgan has even bigger plans for shipping bitumen through this
province," continues George. "The candidates talk of an alternative to
Northern Gateway, but exactly what is the alternative? Kinder Morgan's
Trans Mountain pipeline? Shipping oil to the east? We need to know what
they mean."

Tsleil-Waututh Nation is also gravely concerned about the Conservative
government's gutting of environmental laws under Bills C-38 and C-45.
These changes impact the way environmental assessment will happen on
the Kinder Morgan pipeline proposal, so it is critical for the
country's leaders to have a clear position on the proposal.

To date, leaders and their parties have expressed the following
regarding the pipeline:

Federal NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair has stated that the Conservative's
amendments to the environmental review process have rendered it
meaningless, and in the absence of a credible assessment process the
pipelines should not even be discussed. Still, he has not yet announced
his party's position on Kinder Morgan's proposal.

Provincial NDP leader Adrian Dix is also yet to confirm his party's
position on the Kinder Morgan pipeline.

Christy Clark and the provincial Liberal Party have announced that they
have five conditions that must be met before new pipeline
infrastructure is considered, but this has not led to a statement of
position on Kinder Morgan's plans.

The Vancouver, B.C., and federal Green parties have been unified in
their opposition to both Kinder Morgan and Enbridge.

The Harper Conservative Party is in favour of pipeline development.

"It's no surprise where the Harper Conservatives stand, but it's time
for the federal Liberal leadership candidates and the federal and
provincial NDP to take a position on Kinder Morgan's pipeline," says
Carleen Thomas, elected Concillor, Tsleil-Waututh Nation. "Otherwise,
there will be an oil tanker a day entering the Burrard Inlet, putting
the Inlet, the Salish Sea and the way of life of people in B.C. at
risk."

As the Nation at the terminus of Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain
pipeline, Tsleil-Waututh is adamantly opposed to the company's proposal
to build a new pipeline to bring crude oil/bitumen to foreign markets
through Burrard Inlet and the Salish Sea. The proposal would see the
transport of crude oil expanded from its present level of approximately
300,000 barrels per day to 890,000 barrels per day. The Nation has
experienced the results of crude oil handling and refining on Burrard
Inlet for a number of decades. The Nation is expecting
government-to-government consultation on this project.

About Tsleil-Waututh Nation

Tsleil-Waututh Nation is a progressive and vibrant Coast Salish
community of approximately 500 members located along the shores of
Burrard Inlet in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. For more information
please visit www.twnation.ca.